The more generous requirements—dubbed the “transitional arrangements”—are designed to allow more time for current international students to find work experience or improve their English language abilities in order to meet the requirements for permanent residency. In this post, I will expand on some of the TR criteria under transitional arrangements in more detail.

Applying for TR after completion of studies

First of all, please note that you have six months to apply for TR after the date of completion. This is very likely to be the last day of your final exam, not the day your degree is conferred. If this is the case, you have to lodge in your TR application as soon as you finish the last day of uni, hence make sure that you prepare all the required documents well in advance.

The preferred method for TR application is online.

Required documents

A full checklist is available on the immigration website.

Skilled Occupation List (SOL)

If you are covered by the transitional arrangements, you may nominate an occupation in the old SOL (Schedule 2). This SOL has over 400 occupations, as opposed to the new SOL (Schedule 3) which has only 181. If you find that your occupation is not listed in Schedule 3, nominate an occupation in Schedule 2.

Like permanent residency visa, you will need to apply to get your skills assessed by the appropriate assessment body. The list of occupations and the respective assessment authorities are listed in Schedule 2. All that is required is the receipt number—you may lodge in a TR application prior to the skills assessment result being determined by the assessment authority.

Please note that the occupations in Schedule 2 are for TR applications only. PR applicants must nominate an occupation in Schedule 3.

IELTS Test

You are required to sit an IELTS test before applying. The minimum IELTS score for eligibility is 6 in each band. More details here.

Health examination

Call up Medibank Health Solutions and request for a booking reference number. You will need to state that you are applying for a GSM visa. You do not need to specify a date at that time—the immigration officer will call up to ask you to sit a health checkup at a later date.

AFP clearance

You will need a statement of good conduct from the Australian Federal Police which they can produce at the cost of $43. More information on how to apply can be found here.

I am going to take into account only 5 (FIVE) criteria that are likely to form the basis of your eligibility. The proposed pass mark for the new points test is 65, however, there is no guarantee that this will not change in the future.

You may download the original forms here.

Age

(max: 30 points)

The new points test is designed to benefit people within the age group of 25-32 years old, as this group is deemed the most contributive to the economic development of Australia. The points breakdown is as follows:

• 18-24 years old: 25 points
• 25-32 years old: 30 points
• 33-39 years old: 25 points
• 40-44 years old: 15 points
• 45-49 years old: 0 points

English language

(max: 20 points)

As outlined in my previous post, the DIAC is introducing Superior English—a new classification of English language ability—which is equivalent to an IELTS score of 8.0 in each of the four bands (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). This opens up the opportunity for applicants with exceptional English language skill to claim the necessary points to obtain permanent residency. The full breakdown of points attainable in this criterion is as follows:

• 6.0 in each band: 0 points
• 7.0 in each band: 10 points
• 8.0 in each band: 20 points

Australian work experience

(max: 15 points)

This needs to be an occupation closely related to the new SOL.

• 1 year or more: 5 points
• 3 years or more: 10 points
• 5 years or more: 15 points

Note: There is no mention that this needs to be full-time. However, based on Form 1119 currently in use, work experience is only considered if full-time and I suspect the same will apply on the new system as well.

Overseas work experience

(max: 15 points)

This similarly needs to be an occupation closely related to the new SOL.

• 3 years or more: 5 points
• 5 years or more: 10 points
• 7 years or more: 15 points

Note: Again, no mention of this having to be full-time.

Qualifications

(max: 20 points)

The major change is that both Bachelor and Masters degrees are now awarded the same number of points.

• Australian diploma, AQFIII/IV or recognised offshore apprenticeship: 10 points
• Bachelor, Bachelor w/ Honours or Masters degree: 15 points
• PhD: 20 points

Recognition of Australian Study

(max: 5 points)

A candidate is automatically awarded 5 points after studying 2 years full-time in Australian institution.

Other points

You may claim additional points if you happen to meet the requirements for the following criteria. More information may be found on Form 1119.

• Designated language (5 points)
• Partner skills (5 points)
• Professional Year (5 points)
• State/territory government sponsorship (5 points)
• Family or state/territory government to regional Australia (10 points)
• Study in a regional area (5 points)

Possible scenarios of a candidate passing the points test

The new rules are undoubtedly penalising many applicants, but you still stand a chance of passing the 65-point mark if you are one of the following:

• a Bachelor/Masters graduate (15 points) with a minimum of 2 years study (5 points) aged 18-24 (25 points) with an IELTS score of 8.0 in each band (20 points).
• a Bachelor/Masters graduate (15 points) with a minimum of 2 years study (5 points) aged 25-32 (30 points) with an IELTS score of 7.0 in each band (10 points) and at least 1 year of Australian work experience in a closely nominated occupation (5 points).
• a PhD graduate (20 points) with a minimum of 2 years study (5 points) aged 25-32 (30 points) with an IELTS score of 7.0 in each band (10 points)

Of course, other combinations exist which you may work out from the information above.

As a guideline, candidates must pass the points test imposed with at least 120 points for 885 (independent) visa and at least 100 points for 886 (family sponsored) visa. Please note that although there are other paths to permanent residency (such as through employer sponsorship or state/territory government nomination), this article is specifically designed to help independent and family-sponsored applicants currently residing in Australia.

Skills Assessment

(Maximum attainable points: 60)

Applicants are now required to have their skills assessed before they can claim the 40, 50 or 60 points tied to their nominated occupations to apply for permanent residency. A new list of occupations that are eligible for PR is available on the DIAC website under Schedule 3.

You will need to go to the assessing authority’s website to view the requirements for getting your skills assessed. For example, information for IT graduates are available on the ACS website and Engineering graduates on Engineers Australia.

Age

(Maximum attainable points: 30)

The following additional points may be granted at the time of application for applicants that fall into one of the following age groups:

• 30 points: 18-29 years old
• 25 points: 30-34 years old
• 20 points: 35-39 years old
• 15 points: 40-44 years old

IELTS Test

(Maximum attainable points: 25)

Applicants are required to demonstrate that they possess an English skill assessable as “Competent”. This is equivalent to IELTS score of 6.0 in each of the 4 bands (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking). The points scheme is grouped as follows:

• 25 points: IELTS 7.0 in each band
• 15 points: IELTS 6.0 in each band
• 0 points: IELTS 6.0 overall

Booking for IELTS exam may be done at most tertiary institutions such as The University of Sydney or The University of Technology, Sydney.

Australian Qualifications

(Maximum attainable points: 25)

The following points may be claimed depending on your academic qualification:

• 25 points: Australian doctorate (> 2 years full-time study)
• 15 points: Australian Masters or Honours (at least upper Second class) and Australian bachelor degree (> 1 year full-time study) and total study period in Australia > 3 years
• 5 points: Australian bachelor degree, diploma or trade qualification (> 2 years full-time study)

Other points

You may be eligible for additional points if you either:

• meet the work experience criteria, or
• have NAATI-certified language skills (including Indonesian), or
• studied and lived in low population growth area, or
• have a partner that is included in the PR application, or
• is nominated by state/territory government or sponsored by an eligible relative living in a Designated Area.

For more information, consult Form 1119 on the immigration website.

Health Check & Police Certificate

Candidates are required to provide evidence that they have booked for a health examination and completed an Australian Federal Police (AFP) check prior to lodging their PR application. More information is provided below:

• Medibank Health Solutions (ring up and request for a booking reference number for PR purposes)
• Australian Federal Police clearance (The lowest-cost $43.00 check is sufficient)

Example of a candidate passing the points test

A graduate with Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering gained over 4 years of full-time study (60 points), aged 25 years old at the time of application (30 points), IELTS score of 7.0 in each band (25 points) studying at The University of New South Wales (5 points) will gain 120 points and may apply for 885 (independent) visa.

How to Apply

Applicants may lodge their application online, apply by mailing the required paperwork, or use a certified migration agent. The current cost of PR application is $2,575 per individual. Dependents (such as parents) with less-than-functional English who are planning to migrate together with the individual will incur additional costs (for more information, see Form 990i).

Required Documents

Online applications

For online applications, a list of documents that need to be provided will appear once the application is lodged. Documents may be scanned and attached on the eVisa browser provided after the application is lodged.

For your convenience, I have provided the list below. Certified copies of the following documents are required as a minimum for online 885 (independent) applicants:

• Copy of passport Personal Particulars/Photo (bio-data) page
• Birth certificate or other evidence of age
• IELTS test result
• Passport photo (3 x 4)
• Evidence of arrangements to undergo a medical examination (i.e. booking reference number)
• Receipt for AFP check
• Receipt of successful skills assessment
• Overseas police certificate

For 886 (family-sponsored) applicants, additional documents may be required such as details of the sponsoring family member and a family tree detailing the applicant’s relationship with the sponsor. For more details, consult the 886 visa checklist for paper applications below.

Paper applications

You may find the document checklist for 885 (independent) visa and 886 (family-sponsored) visa.

Processing Time

Processing time is currently at least 18 months for applicants nominating an occupation in Schedule 3. Processing times may be shortened to less than 6 months if a candidate is sponsored by employer, or less than 18 months if a candidate is nominated by a state/territory government.

Note: I am unable to provide further information as I have lost the link to the page displaying the estimated processing times for applicants.

Transitional arrangements & options for applicants not eligible for PR

There are several options for candidates who do not meet the above criteria. Candidates may apply for State Migration Plan (SMP) due to be finalised late this year or—for existing international students—apply for Skilled – Graduate (subclass 485) visa under the transitional arrangements in place until 31 December 2012. The transitional arrangements will allow graduates to obtain the necessary work experience to boost their chances or secure an employer or state/territory government to sponsor them in their application.

Please note that the points scheme is set to change again from 1 July 2011, hence this article will no longer be relevant from this date.

If you are a current international student who is looking to apply for permanent residency after 1 July 2011, it is very important to familiarise yourself with the new points system. I will highlight some high-level changes and how they could impact your chances in the PR hunt:

Family sponsorship is no longer eligible for Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 886) visa

Under the current GSM regulations, candidates who are unable to meet to pass mark criteria of 120 in the Skilled – Independent (subclass 885) visa are eligible to apply for Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 886) visa with a lower pass mark of 100. Candidates may be sponsored by either family or state/territory government.

Under the new GSM regulations, however, family members are no longer eligible to sponsor candidates for Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 886) visa. If a candidate is still unable to meet the pass mark, s/he will have to look for state/territory government willing to sponsor him/her.

No points awarded for nominating skilled occupations in the Skilled Occupations List (SOL)

The current GSM regulations may award 40, 50 or 60 points depending on a candidate’s nominated occupation when applying for PR. This is no longer the case with the new points test in place, where points are no longer awarded for nominating an occupation in the SOL. Instead, a candidate is only required to nominate an eligible occupation in the SOL in order to apply for PR. To those uninformed, the number of eligible occupations on the SOL has been trimmed from over 400 to just 181.

Bachelor, Bachelor with Honours and Masters qualifications receive the same number of points

Are you thinking of taking further study to claim those valuable points? If you’re a Bachelor planning on studying Masters to gain competitive advantage for PR, forget about it. Having a Masters degree is not going to boost your chances over Bachelor graduates when it comes to PR application. If you have a PhD, though, it will, but only marginally (5 points).

The introduction of Superior English – IELTS 8 in each of the 4 bands: Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking

Under the current GSM regulations, the highest points that may be awarded out of English proficiency is 25 points. This is achieved by an IELTS result of 7.0 or higher in each of the 4 bands: Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking. This is classified as Proficient English.

The new GSM regulation introduces a higher classification of English language ability—Superior English—achievable by an IELTS score of 8.0 or higher in ALL FOUR bands. I estimated that a fresh Bachelor/Masters graduate with less than a year of Australian work experience in his/her nominated occupation and will be applying for PR independently after 1 July 2011 would require Superior English to meet the minimum pass mark.

I am an international student looking to apply for PR after 1 July 2011. Do I still stand a chance?

Yes, but the door is closing. The high standards imposed by the DIAC will require you to fight for a higher IELTS score or gain the necessary work experience before you can meet the minimum pass mark. There is a bit of good news in that transitional arrangements for existing international students are still in place, which means that they will still be able to apply for Skilled – Graduate (subclass 485) visa upon graduation to stay in Australia for 18 months to gain the necessary work experience.

If you expect to graduate in 2012 or later, you may hope that the points scheme will change again. The situation looks bleak at this stage, however, and I do not recommend waiting too long for things to change. It probably will, but not for the better.

All too often people come up to me saying they have a degree but cannot find a job. This ironic situation is all more relevant  today when competition is tough and people are constantly on the lookout for opportunities. The reality is that these jobs are out there, but it takes a lot of effort to convince an employer to make a satisfactory offer.

Consider yourself lucky if you’re gunning towards work in the IT industry: there’s never-ending demand for so-called “developers” and “software engineers” in the field. That is, if you have done your homework and shaped up your technical skills in your uni days. Nonetheless, for some recent IT graduates, applying for jobs have always been a painful experience. I have heard countless stories of candidates going through endless successions of dropping in CVs and getting back rejection letters—if at all—despite the amount of work they have put into polishing their knowledge and writing up their CVs.

The problem with this approach is that there is little room to show off your skills to your employers. How do they know you’re a good web developer when your CV only says “3 years of experience with PHP”? It is difficult to judge a candidate’s capabilities based solely on the number of years they have worked with a particular technology. Furthermore, applicants tend to exaggerate themselves on paper and while that may not necessarily be a bad thing, it doesn’t make your job application any easier. There’s always a possibility that someone with experience comes in with a well-crafted CV and bumps you down the employer’s wanted list.

I share my insight on how you can gain competitive advantage when applying for jobs. These are all based on my experience in technical IT but you may extract the points most relevant to you and use them as a guideline when applying for jobs in your chosen field.

Call. Don’t email.

This is especially true if you’re looking for roles posted on jobs sites. A common mistake that candidates do is to send a cover letter with CV attached when a phone number is given for them to call.

Employers often look for “soft skills” especially within IT graduates. They look for people with the right set of skills and experience, but are more keen to know that you have the right chemistry to fit into the work culture. By giving a call and engaging them in a conversation, you’re opening yourself up for your potential employer to know more about you. You should expect them to ask about your background, team/work experience and interests. Treat this as a phone interview and use the opportunity to showcase your passion, attitude, and professionalism. First impression lasts, and the candidate who plays this card best is usually the one who scores the face-to-face interview.

Note that this does not apply when a job ad does not supply a phone number. In this case, you should spend more time polishing your résumé and cover letter to look as professional as possible.

Follow up.

If you get to talk to your employer, be it via phone or in person, always ask when you will be expecting to hear back from them at the end of the session. This provides you with a timeframe to wait for an answer. Should you not receive any news, be sure to give a call back to enquire about the outcome. This gives a positive impression that you are keen about the role they’re offering.

If you happen to apply by dropping in your CV, be sure to follow up with another email if you do not receive a reply after some time. Employers are busy people; they tend to skip emails and pay attention to the most recent ones in their list.

Have your portfolio ready.

Are you a software or web developer? If so, provide a link to your portfolio in your CV so that employers may look it up. This can range from your Github repository to your own website. Make sure they’re well-maintained; employers don’t like having to browse around to look for what they want.

Think about how you can contribute.

If you are invited to an interview, chances are they will ask you the ultimate rhetorical question: “Why do you want to work with us?”. This may catch you as a surprise if you’re not used to it. Employers often use this question to find out about a candidate’s passion and team spirit. You need to reflect on your abilities and convince your employer that you are not only able to undertake the job, but also willing to learn and improve with the team.

Identify your strong and weak points.

Nobody is perfect, and most employers do not expect you to know it all on your first day of work. In an interview, they sometimes ask about a candidate’s strengths and weaknesses, but it is partly meant to extract the personality of the candidate. Talk about what your superior abilities and (if any) your achievements that are relevant to those abilities (e.g. C++ programming and a self-made chess program). However, the most important things are to not boast about your achievements and not reveal your personal weaknesses that may affect your performance in the role (e.g. you should never say you like to work individually when you’re going to work in a software development team!).

Ask questions.

Try to extract as much information as you can about your potential employer. In particular, pay more attention to how the business operates. These are all valid questions: “What will the role involve?”, “What types of training will be provided?”, “What kind of work environment will it be?”, “Who do I report to?”, “Which software development methodology do you use?”, “How does information pass around within the company?”.

Try, try and try again.

All of the above might seem straightforward, but in practice they tend to take a while to get used to. Don’t fret if you get rejection letter; it may just be that you do not have the right mix of personalities. There’s no reason to work in a team where you won’t fit in; it will only upset you in the long term. As long as you are constantly on the lookout, the right role will come up eventually.

If you do get a rejection letter after an interview, be sure to follow up with the employer and ask for feedback. A good employer should point out what is turning them away from hiring you and what you could have done better in the interview. The feedback will help you gain an understanding of what employers expect from their candidates and will prove an invaluable asset to bring to your next interview.

1. Resize the maze anywhere from 8×8 to 16×16.
2. Specify forbidden nodes, start node and end node anywhere within the maze.
3. Select one of the five available algorithms for use with path searching.
4. View the resulting path from start to goal on a given maze display window.

Source code may be downloaded from within my GitHub repository. Critics and suggestions welcome.

syntax on

This turns on syntax highlighting. This is default on Ubuntu, but Mac users (as of Snow Leopard) will need to add this manually.

set number

This turns on line numbering, which is essential for programmers.

set smartindent
set autoindent

As you may have guessed, this spices up Vim’s indentation a little bit. I’ve noticed that they prevent the cursor from returning to the start of a line when the Return key is pressed. There are also other indenting options, such as cindent, but I find it particularly annoying and never used it.

set shiftwidth=4
set tabstop=4

These set tabstops every 4 characters, which is standard for most programming languages. You may substitute it with other values if preferred.

augroup vimrc_autocmds
  au!
  autocmd BufRead * highlight OverLength ctermbg=red ctermfg=white guibg=#592929
  autocmd BufRead * match OverLength /\%81v.*/
augroup END

This is a temporary solution to the right margin problem with Vim written by cyrilrbt as Vim does not support displaying right side margin. When these 5 lines are added, Vim will highlight the 81st character onwards with the colour scheme of an error message (white font on red background).

Restart Vim and all changes should take effect immediately.